‘The Simpsons’ Character Death Spoilers: Hank Azaria Narrows Down the List

Apart from any behind-the-scene sadness, 'The Simpsons' still aims to kill off one of its most iconic characters at some point in the coming year, just like Maude Flanders and Fat Tony (briefly) before. Producers have been rather tight-lipped about which Springfieldian might face the axe, but iconic voice actor and star Hank Azaria isn't shy about crossing a few names from the death pool.

According to a recent Entertainment Weekly interview with Azaria, it won't be any of his characters that suffer the reaper before the 25th season comes to a close this spring. For those keeping score, Azaria provides the voice for such prolific characters as Kwik-E-Mart owner Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, Moe Szyslak, Chief Clancy Wiggum, Officer Lou, Jeff "Comic Book Guy" Albertson, Carl Carlson, Cletus the slack-jawed yokel, Sea Captain Horatio McCallister, Bumblebee Man, Super Nintendo Superintendent Chalmers, Duffman, Professor Frink, Snake, Dr. Nick Riviera, Kirk Van Houten, and Disco Stu. We remind you, Dr. Nick had also supposedly been killed in 'The Simpsons Movie,' before returning to life.

Previously, executive producer Al Jean had revealed that the voice actor won an Emmy for the role, though that hardly narrows down the choices, considering the combined Emmy-winning cast of Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, and Yeardley Smith along with guest stars Anne Hathaway, Kelsey Grammer, Jackie Mason, and Marcia Wallace (whose Ms. Krabappel will be retired, not killed off).

Keep in mind that we can expect the 'Simpsons' death to be far more permanent than that of 'Family Guy''s Brian, but what say you? Who do you think will be killed off, now that Hank Azaria's characters are out of the running?